On Bisexuality

First off, the above picture is not (always) an accurate representation of bisexuals. Let me explain.

In simplest terms, looking at the word itself, “bi” means two, meaning two genders.
The formal definition: a person who is emotionally, romantically, sexually, affectionately, or relationally attracted to both men and women, or someone who identifies as a member of the bisexual community.

The History

The term bisexual “came originally from botany, meaning a plant with the functioning sex organs of both sexes” (Herbst 24). It’s link to sexuality did not appear until the 1920s. Before that it was “applied to persons who displayed both ‘feminine’ and ‘masculine’ emotional and physical characteristics” (qtd. in Herbst 24).

In the previous two articles I wrote on lesbians and the gay community, I listed stereotypes of gender expression for those identities. However, I did not find many gender stereotypes of bisexuals, so I’m going to list the stereotypes of bisexuals and then discuss bi-erasure.

Without further ado:

Bisexuals are promiscious (Herbst)

Bisexuals are cheaters (Herbst)

Bisexuals are confused (Herbst)

Bisexuals are experimental (Herbst)

Bisexuals can’t commit to one orientation and are “playing straight” (Herbst)

Bisexuality is not a real orientation

All bisexual men are actually gay (“You Can’t Tell Just By Looking”)

All bisexual women are actually straight (“You Can’t Tell Just by Looking”)

According to this article from the Bisexual Resource Center, bisexual erasure is the ignoring, removing, or re-explaining the evidence of bisexuality. Erasure can be seen in a lot of different identities, but bisexuality is probably the most common. Another way that I can think of, just off the top of my head, that bisexual identities are erased is when they are in relationships. I think oftentimes if a bisexual is in a relationship with a girl, they may be viewed as a lesbian. On the same note, if a guy is dating a guy, he will probably be seen as gay. As a result, bisexual identities are erased. Whether this is a good or bad things is really up to the individual. Personally, while it may not be a big deal in those cases, I hate the negative stigmas that are associated with bisexuality.

Other Fun Facts

According to this Laci Green video, oftentimes bisexual men are looked at as on their way to identifying as gay, and girls really just straight. As Laci mentions, it’s interesting that in both of these facts, everyone is really secretly attracted to men.

In a 2011 Williams Institute study, of the 3.5% of adults in the United States who identify as Lesbian, Gay, or Bisexual (About 9 million), 1.8% identify as bisexual.

In conclusion, bisexuality is probably one of the most misunderstood sexualities, probably because as Laci pointed out, it doesn’t refer to being attracted to just one gender, like lesbian, gay, or even straight. However, it’s just as valid and real as all of the other identities.

Jessica Mahmoud is a Journalism major with a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer Studies minor. Her pronouns are she, her, hers, herself. As an aspiring activist, she hopes to use writing as an outlet to educate others.